How to paint kitchen cupboards in burnt orange?

[Almico]

Hello! I’m hoping to get some additional advice on the best way to paint my kitchen, which I believe is an older style Kaboodle kitchen.

I was going to use the Dulux Renovation range, but was informed by a very helpful and knowledgeable Bunnings staff member that the Dulux Renovation paint cannot be tinted to some colours (due to the limited base colours in the range), and so I can’t get the burnt orange colour I would like. I could get the burnt orange colour in the White Knight Laminate & Tile paint, but I don’t want to use this paint since it’s oil based and I cannot be bothered with the hassle of the clean up. The advice I was given was that I could instead use the Dulux Precision Adhesion Primer and simply use standard semi-gloss or satin paint over the top (tinted to the burnt orange colour of my choice). I was told the result would be similar to using the Dulux Renovation products with similar durability.

This option does seem cheaper and easier, since it would likely just be two coats of the adhesion primer and then two coats of the semi gloss paint. So my question is, has anyone painted their laminate kitchen this way (using the Dulux Precision Adhesion Primer with water based paint over the top), and how were the results? Or can any paint experts offer any additional advice?

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Almico,

A couple of things. Cleanup-wise, I'd just throw away the $10 roller kit and any brushes at the end of the job when using oil-based paint, instead of cleaning them up. The amount of mineral turpentine you'd need and the mess the cleaning will make hardly seems worth it, unless you're using very expensive rollers and brushes.

Regarding the method you've been advised, using the Max Adhesion primer, that will work and is commonly recommended by Dulux. However, the Aquanamel water-based topcoat is not quite as durable as the Renovation range paint, though it typically holds up well under the wear conditions in a kitchen.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Almico]

Thanks Mitchell! I’ve used oil based paints in the past, and I just find using turps to get off skin etc. not ideal (water based paint is just so much easier all round). I am happy to hear that you also think using an adhesion primer should work well for my kitchen cupboards!

Although, it seems I won’t be able to get the burnt orange paint for my kitchen from Bunnings, as apparently bold colours aren’t available in any of the paint ranges you sell in a satin or semi gloss (only matte wall paint comes in these bold colours). Can you confirm this?

I guess I could do a layer of clear satin or gloss over the top, but the less coats of paint the easier the job will be. Can you recommend a reliable paint brand that does bold colours in satin and/or semi gloss?

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Almico,

Wall paint is unfortunately not durable enough for this application; we need an enamel (water-based) paint. There's no clear coat I'm aware of that can go over wall paint.

You're correct that we are unable to create vivid orange colours in Dulux Aquanamel as they require an orange base, which we don't have. However, there might be a work-around, and that's to use Taubmans water-based enamel, as some of their oranges use a neutral base, which we do have. For instance, with a quick search, the Marble Bar I've highlighted below can be mixed up for you and applied over the Max Adhesion.

It would be worth spending some time with the team in-store exploring which Taubmans colours are available.

Mitchell

[Almico]

Thanks Mitchell. Most of the paint swatches that I am considering are from the Taubmans range (I’m leaning towards Orange Passion at this stage) but the second in-store Bunnings paint person that I spoke to earlier today said that I couldn’t get those particular colours in a satin or semi gloss. 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Almico,

That might be a stock availability issue at the store you've visited. There is definitely a Taubmans water-based neutral base semi-gloss available. If you pop your location into the Bunnings website, it will tell you the nearest location with it in stock. Always best to give them a call before you head in, though.

Mitchell

[Almico]

Hi Mitchell, the person I spoke to today made a blanket statement that most bold colours (including the orange) weren’t available in a satin or semi gloss, as they are more often used for feature walls (hence the mentioning of wall paint). They suggested that I would need to look at other paint brands that Bunnings don’t sell to get the colour I want in a satin or gloss. I did find this a little confusing, since the very helpful person I had spoken to at another store only yesterday hadn’t mentioned this. 

[MitchellMc]

That might have been a miscommunication about the use of wall paints @Almico. A neutral base in wall paint may not be available in semi-gloss or satin finishes. Typically, wall paints are available in only a low-sheen. 

I've confirmed with a store that they can use Taubmans water-based neutral base semi-gloss and mix up Taubmans Orange Passion for you.

I'm a Paint Expert and have spent many years in-store mixing paints. It all checks out to me, and it looks like you can have the colour mixed up. If you can let me know the location of the store you spoke to, I can call them to work it out.

Mitchell

[Almico]

Thank you for confirming that for me Mitchell. Think I’ll return to the store I went to yesterday (and not the one I visited today) as they said exactly the same thing you have said. I really appreciate your help with this, and look forward to having my new burnt orange kitchen cupboards!